LDS on Remote Sensing Based in Deep

LDS on Remote Sensing Based in Deep
A Comparative concept for Petroleum Pipeline Spillage
Mansour Ahmadi Foroushani, Samera Dolati
MSc in Geo information Management, MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Petroleum pipeline and Telecommunication Company IOPTC, Tehran, Iran, December, 2008
Email: mforoushani@gmail.com , sameradolati@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
Following to the report[1], slightly more than two million kilometer petroleum pipeline is feeding refineries and providing service to plenty need of activities around the world. Pipeline networks almost are underground service however, the partly are working above surface. Leak Detection Service highlights through the pipeline transportation from both technical and environmental sides. From technical point of view LDS specifically developed to provide leak detection service during petroleum transportation. LDS techniques are also articulate based on detecting leak place such as Software and Hardware, Remote sensing and Satellite imagery including Bio-mimicry methods. From environmental aspect of view the act and policy are necessary to watch spill out petroleum to environment. The result of spillage monitoring decreased the time to fix pollution accordingly.

Adaptability of each LDS method is strongly correlative to both sides above mentioned. Detection system task categorized in preventive, protective, alarm and accurate process of detecting leak place. This article aims to consider the major parameter of good LDS application aim to help decision maker with choosing one or a set of high-tech. tools. Even though productivity in the company beneficiary is the main goal but, process regards to environmental issue is must. Moreover, API and ASME as well as DOE and IPIECA[2] have already emanate against leakage and pollution with own technical standard in pipeline designing. In addition, difficulties with LDS in real world is depends on what decision maker is expecting from such a detection systems.

Comparative method provides the need of company beneficiary and existing tools based on strength of each method. Justification may be support the new pipeline project which is going on in future plan or the hotline which is already in services. In the following the remote sensing of approach is discussed for leak detection service based on Geo spatial information infrastructure. Furthermore, an application should be supporting by two or more technique to get better result. Finally, introducing automatic process model of data acquisition, interpretation and analysis from thermal infra-red image followed by Lidar data can help decision makers to keep environmental clean and operational safe.

Keyword: LDS Technique, Spill out, Pipeline Transportation, Thermal Remote sensing

Comparative key of different method
It is generally accepted that pipelines to be much safer for transporting large volume of oil over large distance rather than other variable alternatives such as truck trailer, railroads and shipping. In theory therefore, it is the best option from an environmental and safety perspective . However, residual impact and risks are inevitable from petroleum pipeline transportation[3]. The challenge is having developed the concept of a combination technique to apply the feasible and reliable LDS. Some key attribute is defined to compare performance of each method. Advantage and disadvantage of methods shows by reinforce code.
Localize Small scale leak, Detecting pinpoint leak, Real time monitoring, Maintenance, cost, and Reliability are common feature of LDS to compare. In practice, the performance depends on geo-location of pipeline corridors, phase shift or single phase process and quality of application. It is therefore essential to design a reliable LDS[4], Such as statistical techniques of real time application.
Based on definitions Table 1 illustrates the comparison of important keys. Accordingly, there is no method with good performance at all key attributes. Common problems arise from the fact that sampling method cannot monitor spill out continuously. Additionally, difficulties in damage prevention by localization of leak place.

Table 1: Comparison of Key Performance (Numbers from 2 to 10 shows suitability from low to high)
Method Monitoring Detecting
pinpoint Localize leak place Expertise Maintenance Cost effective Reliability
Hardware 8 8 8 2 2 8
Software 8 4 3 5 5 6
RS- GIS 10 4 10 5 5 10
Bio mimicry Isotope platelet- 10 10 8 Cost Effective according to INK propagate 10

An advance statistical pipeline leak detection system developed to measure flow and pressure. It detects changes in the relation between flow and pressure. For example a leak could cause the pipeline pressure to decrease and introduce a differential between the inlet and outlet flow rate[5].
Base on the quality of hardware and software, this system cannot detect leaks lower than 1.5 kg/ s, this amount of spillage in compare with CONCAWE reporting shows the need of the quality. The demand of automation LDS needs to improve the performance of existing techniques. So developing the level of expertise for maintenance, monitoring system, pinpoint localization is necessary.
Another powerful tool is introduced the RS–GIS method. Remote sensing and earth observation running on Geo spatial information system platform is given reliable method. It can also find the pinpoint place of spillage accurately. To be multipurpose is the most advantage of RS- GIS method. Long period pinpoint leakage less than 1 kg/s can detect from satellite and airborne scanning information in spite of the mater that it is not detected by the other method.
Bio-mimicry in the end is the mimicry method of blood behavior. It has been fine tuning artificial platelet technology for oil pipeline for a while. Engineers do not even need to know the exact location of the leak. It can fix the spill out fluid from hairline crack and pinpoint. This unique and innovative concept is based on the method the human body uses to heal wounds and can be optimized for a wide variety of fluid flow applications. Platelets® can be introduced into a pipeline in a number of ways such as via pig launchers or by pumping through teeing points on the line; in all deployments to-date it has been possible to utilize existing infrastructure for injection and no modifications to the system have been required[6]. Figure 1 is illustrated short state of LDS activities but not in detail. It will be discussed more in full context with focus on RS-GIS method together with the others method.

Figure 1: Activity of leak detection method

Conclusion
The results of study on those methods dictate to find the best solution for developing our traditional monitoring system. It is also stated to have more concern about environment as much as we taking care about technical issue. Pinpoint detection and its localization need to apply most reliable equipment, and cost effective method. However, organization sometimes needs to run a fresh and experience prospective like RS-GIS. Study state more on experience of good brand as well as the result of scientific output about this issue can boost up the speed of our achievement.

Reference

[1] Theodora a Division of Geography Fact Book. Pipelines 2008 country ranks. http://wwwphotiuscom/rankings/transportation/pipelines_2008_0html, 2008 A division of www.geographic.org.
[2] Organizations in cooperation with ISO. International Standards for Business, Government and Society Conservation of Clean Air and Water in Europe 2008.
[3] National Energy Board A, Canada, . a comparative analysis of pipeline safety performance. 2003;File 320-A000-027.
[4] Jun Zhang. Designing a Cost Effective and Reliable Pipeline Leak Detection System. pipeline reliability conference, Houston , USA, 1996(1996):19-22.
[5] ATMOS Pipe and LSIM. COMPARISON & EVALUATION OF LEAK DETECTION METHODS TO API 1155. International Propagate 2006;Commercial-in-Confidence:36-49.
[6] Kaire Evans. Jemes Boynton. Sealing and Locating Leaks Using Platelet Technology®. 2006;Brinker Technology Ltd.